[Mitchell]

Originally Posted by jmiles

I have been carving only 6 months. Tupelo sticks, cypress knees, old kitchen table legs. I did one drift wood. That led to paintings and mixed media. I have never done any of this before. I have no classes or training. But I do absolutely love doing something special and giving it to someone (wife, coworker and so on).

I need advice. I have a very good and varied set of tools from draw knife to carving kits. My problem is I don't know what my woods look like (I can go into the forest and identify oak, pine and that is it). Any advice on how to identify wood?

Also, when I carve spirit sticks or staffs, how do I get some of the chip marks worked out? I do ok, but still have a less than "neat" face.

Thank ya'll and if you know anyone in Columbia, SC who has a club or classes let me know!

For wood identification: Search the internet. There's tons of educational sites with tree identification information. Here's one for an example: http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/leaf/treeid.htm

To learn how to get chip marks out...... First, use good stop cuts and do not keep going back into the same cut repeatedly to try and clean it. In other words, make the cut right to begin with. I know that sounds a little harsh, but that's the answer. Basically, it takes practice. Take a piece of wood and make LOTS of practice cuts on it. Eyes, noses, hair, mouths, ears, etc....

There's a club in Orangeburg and a group in Columbia. They have seminars frequently in that area, but it's a little hard to get in as they fill up quickly.

[jmiles]

I want to thank all of you (Donna, Susieq, Thomp, Mitchell, Woodtrapper, Doug Ridley, Jillsy, ThomH, Woodwhittler and on the phone Carolina Carver). I had to do my regular police duty the last couple of days and could'nt get to ya'll. I took the advice I could work with now (Mitchell's to make the right cut first and Carolina Carver's on not making flat noses and features). I worked on a piece of ...uh......well, I don't know but it is wood. I cut a stick about 5" in circum. and practiced making a hairline, eyebrows(Deep) and nose. Oh and lips in the beard, too. GOOD ADVICE on making the right cut first. It is my best actual face yet!

I'll keep looking for ways to identify woods and since I am out in the forest looking, I'll identify bear markings too!!

Jim